Back pain is one of the most common issues people face in their day to day lives. This condition can cause a great deal of pain, frustration, and stress to one’s life. You’ve most likely contemplated having back surgery, but when should you consider back surgery and when should you avoid back surgery? In this post, we’ll be going over both sides of the matter. We hope you’ll find this post useful and should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us and we’ll be sure to have your scheduled to see one of our amazing medical professionals as soon as possible.
When to Consider Back Surgery
Below are some of the reasons you should possibly consider back surgery:
Persistent Pain Despite Conservative Treatment
If the pain persists, even though you’ve explored alternative treatment options such as physical therapy, medications and pain management therapies, and lifestyle changes; you’re likely a decent candidate for back surgery. Discussing the options available to you with one of our doctors here at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants can help you make the right decision for your health and wellness.
Severe Nerve Compression
If you’re experiencing severe nerve compression in the form of such conditions as herniated discs or spinal stenosis, leading to numbness, tingling, or weakness; you’ll want to consider back surgery. The surgery itself may allow a level of relief to be had in the form of relieved pressure on the nerves themselves.
Loss of Function
If you’ve found your ability to perform your everyday, regular, average activities has been compromised, you’ll want to consider surgical intervention. This may be the required step in order to properly restore function.
Spinal Instability
If you have a condition, such as spondylolisthesis or severe degenerative disc disease, it may lead to instability within the spine itself. Surgery could be the answer to restore stability within the spine and prevent further complications in the future.
Intractable Pain
If your levels of pain are truly unbearable and cannot be managed through conservative methods, you’ll likely want to consider surgery as an option. Nobody should have to suffer through pain each and every day of their life. With surgery as a potential option, you could regain control of your life once again.
Diagnosis of Specific Conditions
If there’s a diagnosis of a condition associated with the neck, back, or spine such as tumors, infections, or fractures; surgery will often be required to address these conditions.
When to Avoid Back Surgery
Below are some of the scenarios in which one should consider avoiding back surgery if possible:
Mild or Moderate Pain
If your back pain is simply mild to moderate and responds well to various alternative therapies; you should consider giving it some time to repair and possibly heal. It’s always better to have a cautious approach when considering back surgery, especially if you’re pain-free some days.
Uncertain Diagnosis
If there’s an uncertain diagnosis as to where the source of your pain is originating from, you’ll likely want to explore alternative therapies to address your pain and discomfort.
Recent Onset of Pain
If your back pain is relatively new (a few weeks to a month), you’ll likely want to wait it out and see how everything progresses. You may be able to make a fuller recovery through less invasive methods such as physical therapy, pain management therapies, or even yoga and basic stretching exercises.
Age & Overall Health
If you’re an elderly patient, you may face higher risks during surgery. For this reason, you’ll want to discuss with your doctor the positives and negatives of surgery and how it may affect you. It may be a wiser choice to pursue non-surgical therapies at first and see how your body responds.
Skepticism About Surgery
If you have any underlying doubts about surgery, you’ll want to discuss these doubts and concerns with your doctor. Making a truly informed decision is very important and any qualified medical professional should be able to provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your condition and explain in detail the positives and negatives of performing surgery to resolve your condition.
Contact Us at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants if You’re Considering Back Surgery
Here at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, we’re always willing to explain any and all aspects of any surgical procedure we recommend to our patients. We want all of our patients to feel welcomed, comfortable, and confident with their choices; whether they choose to undergo a surgical procedure or not. Here at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants, we view our patient satisfaction as one of the most important parts of our day here at our clinic based in San Antonio, Texas. Feel free to contact us using the form below and we’ll be sure to have you scheduled to be seen by one of our medical professionals as soon as possible.
DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.